In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the divine appointment and assurance given to Joshua. The sermon begins by highlighting the importance of making a decision to follow God, using the example of people who made the decision at a balloon and wine festival. The preacher then moves on to discuss the divine assurance given to Joshua, emphasizing that God's promises would be the source of Joshua's strength and courage. The sermon concludes by emphasizing the importance of sharing the gospel and making disciples, encouraging listeners to fulfill their own divine commission.

It's good to see everyone here this morning. Quick update before we begin, last week I was in Chino Hills for my radiation treatment. So the reason I'm wearing a hat if you're visiting for the first time is because I'm losing all my hair. And then everyone says, well why don't you just shave it all off with a razor and look like Hytham. Where's Hytham? He's natural and I'm not. I still have patches here. I can't shave it with my razor because it will irritate my head. Some of you are just thinking you should just rock it, but I don't know. I'm not going to empathize with some of you guys for losing your hair. I tell everyone I was too vain anyways. But that's the reason I'm wearing a hat. Praise the Lord, God's doing a new work. He's definitely giving us strength. Thank you for everyone who's praying for me and for my family because yesterday I was feeling a little bit fatigued and toward the end of the week I get really fatigued with the chemo and the radiation. But then Saturday, obviously because I'm preparing for a message, there's the spiritual element, the warfare that's involved with that. But I woke up this morning and I felt good and first service was good. And so God's been faithful. He's definitely, I know, it's the Lord. Yeah, the Lord's been so faithful. I was sharing, there's a gentleman actually that's been coming to the church for the last couple weeks and he walked up to me the first time that they attended the church and sat through service and he was getting radiation twice a day for a lot of, I think like almost 45 or 50, somewhere around there. But Larry, and he had throat cancer and he was getting it twice a day for really a long period of time. So every time I want to complain, I just think about him. And it's been 10 years he's been cancer free. And yeah, so he has a mask that he wears because I don't know if you guys have seen my pictures, but I have like a mask I wear every day I go in that they strap my head to a table. And then he had one too. So when we're done, we're going to get our masks together and we're going to compare them. But anyways, so, but the Lord definitely has been faithful. So thank you for your prayers. But really all the glory goes to him because even through this time of weakness, he's been so merciful to us. And we've just seen his grace and his mercy extended to us in ways that I never even could imagine and wouldn't have ever experienced unless we've gone through something like this. And so God has shown up in magnificent ways. And we are going to continue to expect him to show up because he's a good God and everything that he does is wonderful. So with that being said, there's a few things I want to announce before we begin. For those who were involved or are a part of the evangelism training or those who went out to the Blooming Wine Festival, I continue to get reports. Jeff is out there with Mel who is a guy who sold all of his possessions and he travels around in this evangelism now, but they've been out there. There's been over a hundred people that have committed their lives to the Lord down at the Blooming Wine Festival in the course of a couple days. And so there's quite a few of you who have gone out and have ministered. It was neat. Kathleen Unsell and Tom Unsell who are a couple who come to this fellowship, they came up to me after first service and actually before first service and Kathleen was sharing with me how she had led a couple girls to the Lord and that was the first time she had led anyone to the Lord and she was so excited. She goes, it's kind of like when you don't know how to cook but you cook and something turns out good. That's how it was with me. She's a really good cook. She goes, I didn't know what to expect and I went out there and I was available and she said the Lord used me and she was excited about sharing her faith and taking that step of faith and seeing the Lord work in and through you. There really is no greater privilege than to be used in that way. But we do want to lift them up and pray for them and cover them because whenever God is doing a work, there's always going to be an opposition or resistance to that work because we are engaged in a spiritual battle and so we want to cover them in prayer. And then I also wanted to mention part of the Yaku family, so Andy and Flavia, but they're going back up to Stockton and so, where? Fresno. Okay, Fresno. So up in that area, they're going back north. So they were here for a while and it's really been good having them around but their family's going to be taking off so we want to lift them up in prayer before they take off as well. So it's going to be sad to see them go but I think it'll be pertinent, you know, for what we're going to cover today, Andy, just to be strong and courageous and to know that God's with you guys wherever you go. So let's lift those two things up and I know there is a few people before service that came in before first service like Jack and Sally that have been kind of dealing with some physical issues and so I don't know if there's people in here that are really going through that but we want to lift that up as well and we'll probably do that as we shut that door. Oh cool, okay. Let's pray. Father, we thank you for this morning once again and even as we spent just this time in worship, you know, seeking your face and acknowledging you as the great I am, our provider. Lord, you are our sufficiency. Lord, we once again come before you in humble gratitude, Lord, for number one, revealing, you know, who you are perfectly through your son Jesus Christ that you sent him here to this earth to die on the cross for our sins that whomsoever would believe would not perish but have everlasting life and what a privilege it is to be called into your service in that manner, Lord. Not only as children of God being taken out of the kingdom of darkness and conveyed into the kingdom of the son of your love to have an expectation and hope that will never fail, Lord, knowing that you will present us blameless and spotless with exceeding joy, Lord, that there's eternal security in Christ, Lord, but also that you would call us not just to know you but to make you known, Lord, to be used as vessels that can preach a perfect message, Lord, a message of grace, a message of forgiveness, a message of restoration and renewal in the name of Christ and we thank you that the reason you've extended your long suffering toward this earth is because you're not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. And so, Father, we want to cover our brothers and sisters who have been laboring a lot at the Balloon and Wine Festival that are there right now, probably even as I'm speaking there's those, you know, Jeff and Mike and those who've come out that are that are preaching the gospel and we pray that your word will go swiftly and be glorified. We know that there's people who probably showed up at that festival expecting something different and they had a personal encounter with their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the first time where we thank you for that salvation. We thank you that your word declares that when one sinner repents that all of the angels in heaven rejoice, Lord, in that way. And so we want to rejoice together, Lord, in knowing that no one comes to the Father unless the Spirit draws. God, we're praying that your Spirit would draw exactly who you want at that booth to hear those words knowing that it's the power of God, the message is the power of God into salvation to everyone who believes. And, Lord, it's not about the instrument as much as it's the one who's speaking through the instrument. And so we're praying ultimately, Lord, that Christ will be exalted because we know if he be lifted up then you'll draw all men unto yourself. And so, Father, do a work there. We pray in that little booth here in Temecula and that many would come to know you in a very intimate and real way, Lord, through the available and willing vessels that you've called and consecrated to that work, Lord. And for us who are here, we know as your word declares that as we intercede on their behalf through prayer that we also receive in that reward. But we do want to intercede and petition on their behalf. And we want to pray for Andy and for Fuadia and for Jessica and for Alex and Chantel, Lord, as they go back up to Fresno and pray that you would bless them and be with them, encourage them. Lord, I know there's often times where we think, well, why would you take us so far away just to send us back, Lord? But we know that your ways are higher than our ways, that there's reasons and lessons that you want to teach us. And so I'm praying that those lessons and those reasons, although they may not be known right now, would just rest in their hearts and that they would continue to seek your face. And as they walk with you, Lord, that you bless them and that their way would be prosperous as they wouldn't turn from the right hand or to the left, but continue to keep their eyes fixed upon you and your word. And so bless them, Lord. Again, be with Andy, Lord, as he's the head of the home in his direction and wisdom and guidance, Lord. And so we commit them into your hands as well. And for those who are here this morning that are hurting emotionally, physically, maybe they're smiling outwardly but externally or internally, Lord, they're broken and desperate and discouraged. They just need a word to be refreshed, Lord. I pray that this morning would be a day where they'd be refreshed from being in your presence, Lord. And so we thank you for your word and how it has the ability to do that. Pray that you'd offer my thoughts, Lord, that everything that would go forth from this pulpit would represent you well and your word well, Lord. And again, that we would leave here rejoicing and knowing the hope and the inheritance that we've received in Christ. And so we do love you, Lord, because you first loved us. And we thank you for this morning once again. As we open your word, we pray you bless it. In Jesus' name, amen. If you have your Bibles, turn with me to Joshua chapter 1. For those who are visiting for the first time or who haven't been here the last couple weeks, we did start a journey through the life of Joshua in the book of Joshua. A few weeks ago, we set the precedence for the book by sharing an introduction. And then the week after that, we shared through the word and looked at various scripture references that helped us understand who Joshua was as a man as God had called him into his service. Really what defined Joshua as a man and gave us insight into why the Lord would raise him up and use him to this capacity that we'll look at as we look into the word of the book of Joshua. We're going to cover the first six verses this morning. If you're taking notes this morning, the title of my message is Joshua's Divine Commission. We've all seen those movies. We've read those books where before the army is going into battle, there's the commander or the general or the leader that steps up and he gives that inspiring speech, you know, the encouragement prior to engaging in that battle. And that's what we find here. But the only difference is the one who's commissioning Joshua is the Lord of heaven and earth, the God of heaven and earth. And no doubt this encouragement and this inspiration will be needed because the Lord had called Joshua to a tremendous task. Although Joshua was older in age and we think he might've been younger in age, he had been under the leadership of Moses for many years and he'd been mentored by Moses. Moses was an amazing leader for the nation of Israel. We saw God reveal himself to Moses and through Moses in magnificent ways and the deliverance out of Egypt and through the wilderness. And there's so many stories that we can recount that the Lord accomplished through the life of Moses. Joshua was under his leadership and now the Lord is raising Joshua up and he's moving his people into this new season. And the season was to move out from the wilderness and into that promised rest in the land of Canaan that he had given and spoken to the forefathers many years prior to this point. And so this was a tremendous task that Joshua was called to and the Lord was going to give him that comfort and that encouragement and those promises that were needed in order to accomplish this task that he had called them to. And so let's pick up reading in verse one and we will read through verse six. It says, after the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying, Moses, my servant, is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. For the wilderness, from the wilderness, and this Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life, as I was with Moses, so I will also be with you. I will not leave you and I will not forsake you. Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as inheritance to the land which I swore to their fathers to give to them. And so the first point that I want to bring out here this morning is God's pick. And so again, Joshua, the son of Nun, this man who had been raised up, he had been in captivity in Egypt, he had walked through the wilderness, he was one of the spies that had entered into the land of Canaan, and even though the rest of the nation of Israel said there's no way we're going into that land, there's giants, Joshua and Caleb were the two spies that said, you know what, if God's promised us this, then the Lord's also going to give us this. And so the Lord honored them and he blessed Caleb and Joshua as they were really the two spies that were able to enter into the land because they believed God at his promises. But the Lord chose this man, Joshua, the son of Nun, to lead his people into the promised land of Canaan. And this was a calling that the Lord had preordained for Joshua before the foundations of the world. And this is important for us to note here because this calling was specific and unique to Joshua. And as this was true for Joshua, so also this is true for every single child of God. And so the purpose of each individual is going to be unique. It's going to look different in each child of God's life, but the principle never changes. The reality is that God has chosen us before the foundations of the world, if you're in Christ, for good works that he's prepared before and that you should walk in them. And so Joshua here discovered, even though he probably didn't want this calling at first or even expected that God would raise him up, he was just a man who was walking with God. And the Lord says, separate unto me Joshua for this work that I've called him to. And he found as he walked with the Lord that his calling in his life was specific and unique to him as an individual. And so for every single child of God, if you're sitting here today and you've placed your faith and trust in Jesus, then the reality is before the foundation of the world, God is the author and finisher of your life. As it says in Psalm 139, right? David said, all of my days were numbered. They were written in your book. And although we don't see because we're walking in this time space continuum, always the end, I mean, we see the end result and ultimately we're going to be with God. We don't always see the specifics in our life. The reality is, is that God has called each one of us into a specific work and it's unique in its purpose for your life. And so not only was it applicable to Joshua, the son of none, but it's also applicable to us as well. And so remember that the purpose of each individual is going to be unique, but the principle, it never changes. And again, it reminds us of that verse found in Ephesians chapter two that says, for we, speaking of the believer, are his workmanship or his poema created in Christ Jesus for good works prepared before and that we should walk in them. And this is important for us to grasp and apprehend and to believe by faith because knowing this precedes rest. You know, it's easy for us to look around and to look at each individual person and say, well, you know, God, you've called them to this, or, you know, this person's doing that, or, you know, this is the ministry that they're involved in, or this is what their family looks like. And it's so easy to compare ourselves amongst ourselves, right? I mean, we do that all the time. I mean, our culture perpetuates this type of mentality, right? Always comparing yourself amongst yourselves. Well, you don't have this and so you need that. And that really, a lot of times it infiltrates into the church and this mentality, it permeates our society. And we adopt this mentality even within the church and we compare ourselves amongst ourselves. And really it causes us to be ineffective in what God has called us to. Think about it. You are an individual. You are God's poema. There's nothing or no one in this world that's exactly like you. And although there might be similarities with people in your life at times, the reality is God has called you to a specific work, a specific calling. You're his workmanship and you can rest in that. And it really is peaceful and it brings serenity to your heart because you don't need to be looking around at everybody else. But you just look to the Lord and say, God, whatever you've chosen in my life, I trust you. I believe in you. I know that you have a specific and unique calling for my life. And you know, the Bible says that those who compare themselves amongst themselves are unwise. And we see that. It doesn't need to be happening amongst the children of God. You know, to find rest in your identity in Christ and to know what God has called you to. And then you can begin to walk in victory because you're more concerned about what the Lord has called you to than what people's expectations are upon your life or even what your expectations are in your own life. And so this is a very important principle to grasp. And Joshua, he no doubt understood this. And you know, there maybe were people that looked at Joshua and said, well, I want to be the one who leads God's people into the promised rest. I mean, you know, Moses wanted to. And the Lord says, no, I've called Joshua. You know, and you might be sitting here today and you might think, well, I'm insignificant. There's no way the Lord would ever call me to this task to lead God's people in this manner or to do this or to do that. But listen, who knows? You know, but I do know this, that there is contentment and just walking with the Lord and residing in what he has called you to before the foundations of the world. There's so much rest in that. And that is when we as God's people become effective. And that's when we can be those who really experience in our lives all that God has preordained before the foundations of the world. And this is something that we have to gravitate and grasp by faith and believing the promises of God, even over our emotions and our feelings. But one quick thing that I'd like to highlight before we proceed, and that's it. I want you to notice that God's appointment of Joshua as a leader was to serve his people. And this is important for us to understand because Joshua was raised up to a prominent position. Okay. I mean, some people might look at this level of a power and authority and say, wow, that would be amazing to have all of these people, you know, at my disposal. You know, he was this warrior for God. He would enter into the promised land of Canaan. We'll find as we study through the book of Joshua that he accomplished great exploits in the name of the Lord. I mean, Jericho. I mean, there's so many battles that we find in the book of Joshua. We would think, wow, that would be so awesome to have that power and authority. But listen, when the Lord calls his people into a position of leadership, which every single child of God is called into a position of leadership, it's always to the end that they might serve God's people, to serve. And Jesus himself said this. He says, if you want to be greatest among my people, then you will be the servant of all. And Jesus didn't just say that, but he demonstrated that. And he said, listen, I've come not to be served, but to serve and give my life a ransom for many. And as it was true for Joshua, so also this principle applies to every single child of God throughout the centuries who've been called into the service of God. Joshua as a leader was called to serve his people. And this is something that we just don't understand really. And we've been deceived by the world and its system. I've talked to many of you where some of you have or hold positions of authority or prominence, maybe at your job place or in what God has called you to. And the world will tell you, do whatever you need in order to gain more power, to gain more authority. Do whatever you need in order to gain more renown or more recognition. And we strive to gain this power. And it's like, why? Why would we spend so much time seeking to promote ourselves when the Lord says, humble yourselves before the mighty hand of God, and I'll exalt you in due time. I want to exalt you. Exaltation doesn't come from the North, East, South or West, but God raises up one and he removes another. And again, you find so much rest in that. And here, Joshua, the reason that he was considered a servant of the Most High God is because he served the people of the Most High God. And listen, I don't expect for this to be the testimony of the world. When you go to your workplace, you know, for you to go maybe to your work tomorrow or to talk to your boss and say, you know what the Bible says, that in order for you to be elevated, you have to first be humble. They're going to look at you like you're nuts, okay? In reality. I mean, could you imagine if you went into your boss and told that tomorrow and said, you know, you just really need to humble yourself. Because they're not believers. They don't live by the principles found in the Word of God. Right? But as children of God, if we are children of God, then we should reflect and demonstrate this in our lives, in our workplace, amongst our families. You know, if you want the Lord to look down upon you and say, well done, good and faithful servant, listen, that is synonymous with servanthood. That is saying, I'm going to avail myself and give myself to God's people and to those who are around me. I'm going to sacrifice my desires, my wants, my passions, my will, for the sake of the people who are around me. Wow. And listen, that is supernatural in its extent. It's supernatural. That has to be a work of God's grace in your life. For Him to give you vision of this and to give you this type of desire, I mean, I know in my flesh, that's not what I want. I want to serve myself in my flesh. But then the Spirit of God inside of me is saying, no, that's, but that's not what God has called us to. And then you find yourself delighting and serving the people that are around you. You find joy and contentment in that place. Because listen, if the world system and their wisdom and their reasoning brought joy and peace, then the world would be a lot different. Think about it. Think about the world today and the turmoil and the distress and the discouragement and depression that is all around us. So if their principles by which they live by brought them peace, then don't you think that there would be more peace in this world? And so the question is, why not? Well, because the Lord in His Word takes priority and preeminence over the things of this world, the wisdom of this world. And He says, live by my standard, especially as children of God. We should cling to these concepts and say, Lord, OK, this is what you've called me to my faith. I'm going to step out in obedience. And you'll find that there is true rest. And so, again, the reason that this principle is essential for us to value it and it really is essential for us to value, even if the world looks at us and says, you're crazy, you go serve people, you go do that, you're weak. But the reason that as Christians this concept is essential to value is because you can't separate the words leadership from service in reference to God's work. You can never separate the two. So whenever God calls us into leadership, it'll always demonstrate itself in service to God's work. And whether that be the pastor and the way that looks for me is going to be different. You know, maybe my service and obviously my service to you is to study the word of God and to present on Sundays or the opportunities that I have to share the word of God. That's my service to you as God has given me and called me into this service. Maybe for some of you, it's standing at the door and ushering and greeting or working in the sound ministry or working in the children's ministry or being sent out as a missionary across the world. I mean, again, how that looks in your life individually is going to be unique and special to your life. It'll always demonstrate itself in service. It's always to the end that you're serving God's people. And we should delight in that. You know, the Bible says that we're to do good to all, especially to the household of faith. And so it begins in the church. And when people walk through these doors on Sunday mornings or on Wednesdays or when we go to our home groups, I mean, really the born again believer that attends this church and says, this is my church home or any church really should express themselves in their service to the people and to the body of Christ. But often we come and we think, well, how's everyone going to serve me? How are people going to minister to me today? Are the seats comfortable? Is the music good? Did everything go well? And a lot of times we have these standards by which we determine if we're going to come out and we're going to worship the Lord. But that shouldn't be so because worship is demonstrated in service. And we see that exemplified in the life of Jesus. And this isn't an appeal to you to say everyone needs to sign up now to go out. I'm just saying, listen, whether you're here or you're anywhere else in your home, in your workplace, when you're walking closely with the Lord and you're being conformed into his image, then you as a leader in your home, in your workplace, with your children, when you're playing, when you're on the mission field will demonstrate itself in service. And God called Joshua because he was a man who served the Lord because he served his people. And again, we can look to the life of Jesus. Joshua was a great example to us. Jesus is our ultimate example. You know, there in John chapter 13. I mean, Jesus on the eve of his crucifixion, prior to his crucifixion, he's on his hands and his knees and he's washing the feet of the disciples. And he says, as I have done unto you, so you also go do unto others. And the Bible says that he loved his disciples to the very end, to the end of his life, until he was called home to be with the Father, ascended in glory. He served the people of God. This is God. That was God in human flesh. And he says, as I've done unto you, so you also do unto others. And I love that about our high priest, Jesus, because he never told us to do anything that he first didn't do. And then he says, I'll give you the strength and the grace to represent me well. You know, and that's a benefit, not a benefit, but that's what the Lord has, has granted us as an inheritance through the person of Jesus as we walk with him by faith. But as we continue, so God's pick, the second point this morning I want you to look at is God's parameters. So consider the words of the Lord to Joshua. He said, go over to the land, which I am giving to them. Now, the reason that this is important to acknowledge is because when God commissions his people into his service, he also ordains specific boundaries or limitations for their service. And let me explain this to you just a little bit further. There are two applications of this statement. There's a general principle found in Matthew chapter 28, right? When Jesus was speaking to his disciples, he said, okay, go into the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father and the Son of the Holy Spirit. He says, lo, I'm with you to the end of the age. He says, go and teach them everything that I've commanded you. And so everything you've received from me, everything that you've learned during my earthly ministry, I want you to now take those things and teach those to other people. Okay? You've received, now give, make disciples. All authority has been given unto me, Jesus said. And so we know that the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. We find in the book of Revelation that from every tongue, tribe, nation, and people group, they will stand before the throne of God and worship the Lord. And so God is doing a work in this world. Okay? But when he calls us as individuals into his service, there are certain boundaries and limitations that God has placed upon our life and those good works, again, that he's called us to walk in, that become the parameters of our calling in this life, if that makes sense to you. And so a specific principle that we find is found in Acts chapter 16. In Acts chapter 16, Paul the apostle desired to go up into Asia to preach the gospel. Is that a good desire? Yeah, that's a good desire. Okay. But the Bible records that the spirit of God forbade them to go up into Asia at that time to preach the gospel. And so the Lord stopped them from going up into Asia at that time because God had a specific work for Paul and for Barnabas. And so we understand, even as we look through the word of God, that when God calls us into his service, he says, okay, separate unto me this person for the work that I have called them to. And again, that's going to look unique and they're going to look different maybe from the person that's sitting next to you. But do know that there are limitations and boundaries because it can become overwhelming. We look at the world today and we see all of the needs in this world. You look at the fatherless and the widow, and you consider those who have yet to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have people that are being trained right now to go to other language groups to translate the Bible in their language. And Rick, he just took off over to Nepal, or he's leaving to Nepal, a short-term mission trip. And you have Dan and Joan, and you have these different people that are ministering around the world. But I can't look at them and say, well, they're out doing that. So I need to go to Nepal as well, or I need to go to Papua New Guinea, or I need to do this training. It's like, no, because God has called us to specific works and he set limitations on those works. And he says, no, I've called you to this. I've called you specifically to that. And that's important for us to grasp and understand because we can become overwhelmed and think, well, I've got to do everything. And that's not what the Lord wants of us. Because his work, when he calls us into his work, it's not laborious. And if it ever becomes a burden, I'm not saying it's not going to be difficult at times, but if it ever becomes laborious and it becomes an obligation, you're thinking, oh, man, I've got to get up this morning and serve God. That's not what God wants. If God can speak through a donkey, if God can speak the world into existence, he doesn't need you and me. And a lot of times we think he does, right? We think, well, Lord, you need me in order to accomplish your work. And Lord says, no, you're privileged to be a part of the work, but I don't need you to be a part of the work because God's sovereign. He's going to accomplish his will no matter what. But we're privileged to be a part of it. And there's joy and there's contentment and working and co-laboring with the Lord in this work of redemption. But know this, there are specific limitations. And I was thinking about Andy and his family as they're going back up to Fresno, and maybe in their mind they're thinking, well, why did God bring us down here for such a short amount of time? They haven't been here for that long. And I remember the Lord called me over to Maui. I know all the places in the world to suffer for the Lord. Actually, I did suffer over there quite a bit, apart from that. He called me to Maui and I was there when I was the dean of men for a very short amount of time at the Bible College. And I went there for one semester and then the Lord brought me back. And I remember thinking, oh, Lord, why would you do that? I thought it was a long-term, it was like a short-term mission trip. And just beginning to maybe enjoy some of the laying out in the sun at Camp 3A as I walked out my door. I was only 100 yards from the beach and white sand beaches and all that good stuff. Making everyone jealous. But I remember asking, and then I went to Israel. And I remember driving from Galilee up to Caesarea Philippi. And I was thinking as we were driving up to Caesarea Philippi, like this is a long ways to go. But I remember that the Lord took his disciples from Galilee up to Caesarea Philippi to teach them that lesson. Who do men say that I am? And I was thinking, wow. And that was where we have that recorded in the book of Matthew, where Peter said, you, some say you're Elijah, some say you're a prophet. And he says, but who do you say that I am? He says, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And the Lord says to him, blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And he said, this statement that Christ would be the rock of the church would really become the basis for the building of the church, that proclamation. And I was thinking, well, the Lord brought them all in that way to teach them this very important lesson. And so again, the reason I bring that story up is, you know, the Lord will lead us different places and take us different places and do different things in our life. And sometimes you're thinking, well, God, why are you doing this? Because I want to teach you lessons. The Bible says that a man or woman who fears the Lord, him, he teaches the way he chooses. And so to rest in that. And again, walking with the Lord and just, and being in communion and fellowship with him, really you find that rest. And which brings me to that point. I mean, some of you might be thinking here, well, how do I discover the boundaries of my service before the Lord? You're talking about these limitations. And the answer is very simple. Yet many times we complicate it. The reality is, is walk in intimate fellowship with the Lord and he's going to direct your path into those good works that he's chosen for your life. There's no need to fret. There's no need to lose heart because God is going to accomplish what he has ordained for your life. The problem isn't with God. The problem's with us. And I'm being faced with that even today, you know, especially at the age of 31. And you're thinking, well, Lord, this isn't what I expected my life to look. This isn't what I expected my head to look like at 31 years of age. Although they did say that my hair is going to grow back more full and vibrant than it did before. So if I walk in and I have Fabio hair and just like flowing, then we'll wait to take my hat off to that point. It'll be an unveiling. But, um, you know, I mean, it's, it'd be easy to say, well, Lord, I mean, you know, ministering to cancer patients. Yeah. I would never in a million years would have thought that. I mean, if you would have told me, can you, can you write a script for your life? That would have not even been in the thought process at the age of 31. But yet God has ordained this in my life. And, you know, there's things at times where I think, well, Lord, you've, you've given me promises in this area or in, in, in the realm of this ministry. And, and Lord, you know, I'm confronted with my mortality and, um, you know, with this sickness and this disease, and there's all types of thoughts that come into your mind at times. And I'm sure many of you have faced that in your life as well, but, you know, learning to rest and say, okay, Lord, I belong to you, you know, and we belong to God and I can't change what God has ordained for my life. And you can't change what God has ordained for your life. And so he wants us to rest, not necessarily in our circumstances, because how do you find rest in circumstances when everything looks bleak, but he wants us to rest in who he is, his character and who he's revealed to be in the word. And when we, when we understand that, then there is rest in that place. And, you know, it says in Psalm 37, that as we delight ourselves in the Lord, that he will give us the desires of our heart, you know, and this is a wonderful promise given to the child of God. And it's applicable to, to me. The reason I've been meditating upon it is because, you know, as I'm seeking the Lord right now, I'm saying, Lord, okay, I just, I want to delight myself in you, you know, and I know that in the end, you're going to give me the desires of my heart, you know, and how that, how you bring that to pass may not look like how I thought it was going to look, but I know it's according to your plan and your will. And so, Lord, I want to rest in that. And I think that's, again, important for each one of us to know and to embrace this promise by faith, delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the petitions of your heart. And, you know, this is a wonderful Bible verse too, because in Psalm 37, because as you're seeking the Lord and walking with him in intimate fellowship, the Lord begins to change your desires and he begins to replace them with his desires. And so when you're longing for his desires, as you're walking in the spirit, you're in harmony and in line with what God is doing in your life. And I've found that the Lord many times gives us what we want because we don't know what we need. We think we know what we need, right? My son comes up to me and says, you know, in order for me to get full, I need this whole bag of M&Ms. And, you know, my wife is saying, no, it's going to give you cancer. And I'm looking at him and, no, I just don't want you to be bouncing off the walls because we got to drive somewhere, you know, and, and you're thinking, no, that's not, that's not what you, that's not what you need. And, and, and, you know, so the Lord is as a loving father, he looks down upon us and we're asking him for these things and he says, no, I want to give you, I want to give you what you need and what's really going to delight your heart. What's really going to, what's really going to create in you a contentment and a satisfaction that nothing in this world can ever bring to you, you know? And so really preceding us experiencing the outflowing of God's, you know, will and to the degree that we can really walk in that by faith and really find contentment in it, we have to delight ourselves in the Lord. And that's why we come to church and we, you know, we sit here and we hear the word and we get in the word is because we want to delight ourselves in the Lord. We want to find our contentment in him. But I want you to remember as well, that this promise is only presented to the child of God, you know? And, and, and what I mean by this is these truths don't apply to everyone. They don't apply to everyone. If you're sitting here this morning and you are a child of God, then these promises are applicable to your life. But if you're sitting here this morning and you don't have a relationship with Jesus, these promises don't apply to you right now. And listen, I don't know, are you going to come to a place where you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and you're adopted into the family of God, then these promises are applicable to you. But you won't experience this in your life, the peace, the rest, the contentment that God is offering you until you are adopted into the family of God. And in that case, the Lord is offering freely to those who would receive because he desires for you to come into relationship with him, that you would be able to embrace these as promises that are applicable to you individually. But we can sit here and mentally we can say, well, I understand those concepts. But if you're not in a relationship with God through the person of Jesus Christ, then these promises, they don't apply to you. And the reason I bring that up is because in this instance, God told Joshua that the promise was to be inherited by Israel. Israel was God's chosen people. And so the application is now obtaining, the obtaining of God's promises are reserved for the born again believer. So that's great news to those who are sitting here this morning and who have received Jesus Christ into their heart as their Lord and Savior. And the Lord looks down upon you and says, you are a child of God or a daughter or a son. Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians, the believer has received every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. And so these promises are exclusive in their extent, but afforded to all who receive them. And some might be thinking, well, that's a paradigm. That doesn't really work. That they're for everyone, but they're only afforded to certain people. They're exclusive. Well, again, we see that in the word of God, that everyone who had received to them, they had been given the privilege to be called children of God. And so it really comes down to, do you believe and have you received? If you believe and you've received, then these promises are applicable to you. And if you haven't, then you can make that decision this morning as many did at the balloon and wine festival. And many have throughout the world today as the gospel has been preached and has been revealed as the power of God and salvation. Well, having considered the divine appointment of Joshua in verses one to one through two, we're going to conclude this morning by considering the divine assurance in verses three through six. And the reason that these verses are so very important is because these promises would become the undergirding fortitude of Joshua's personal strength and courage. And so God's promises in verses three through six, again, being called to this great task, he would need that encouragement to actually walk in what the Lord had called him to. Verse three, every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon, I have given to you, as I said to Moses, from the wilderness in this Lebanon, as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all of the land of the Hittites into the great sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. So you can only imagine the excitement and anticipation among the children of Israel. For centuries, they had been waiting to inherit this promise, okay? And everything was aligned and prepared for God's promise to be fulfilled. They had been in the wilderness. They had been delivered out of Egypt, right? That generation of those who didn't believe God had died off. And so they were probably chomping the bit. We don't want to go back into the wilderness. We've been tested. We've been tried. We don't want to go back. But now we want to move forward. And so there was probably a great excitement and anticipation at this point. But what's important for us to note here is the Lord said from the wilderness and to this place. The Lord did not want them returning back to the wilderness. He had taught them. He had trained them. He had prepared them. Now he says, okay, we're going in to conquer this land. And I've shared with you in the last couple weeks that really the application for the believer is the Lord wants born-again believers to walk in a life of victory and abundance. He doesn't want us to walk in defeat. Jesus came so that we can reign in life presently. Yes, one day in the future, all of sin, all of wickedness and immorality is going to be done away with. Tears, pain, it's going to be gone. And we look forward to that day. But God wants us to reign now presently. He wants us to walk in victory and an abundance of life now presently. He doesn't want us going back to the wilderness. He doesn't want us going back to Egypt. He doesn't want us regressing. He wants us to move forward to occupy and to conquer that which he's given to us in Christ to receive those spiritual blessings that he's promised to the child of God. And so here the promise is given to the nation of Israel that they would enter the land just as the Lord had spoken. But in order for Israel to inherit the land, they were required to step up by faith and occupy what had already been promised to them by the Lord. So if you're taking notes, obedience preceded occupation. So the Lord gives us a promise and he says, okay, this is the promise I've given to you. But the requirement for us to walk in that promise is to step out by faith. It takes action, right? In the book of James, it says, show me your faith and I'll show you my faith by my works. Many people have discounted the book of James saying, well, James was a legalist. You know, it's all about works. There's a difference between saying you're saved by works and you're saved unto works, right? We're not saved by our works, but we are saved unto works. And so any person that's had a personal encounter with Jesus should be changed in their life. And ultimately it's the Lord calling his people into a place of walking by faith and not by sight because the Bible says without faith, it's impossible to please God. And so everything God had promised to the nation of Israel was given to them. But in order for them to occupy or to experience it, they had to believe God by faith and step out by faith so that the Lord says, okay, here, I've given it to you. And it's like someone offering a gift to you and saying, here, I've given you this gift. You have to believe that I'm actually giving you the gift in order for you to take it. And that's what God wants. And the Lord here is speaking not only to Joshua, but to the children of Israel. I've prepared this. I've given it to you. Now step out by faith and occupy what I have promised. And so the Lord has called his people, we as a people, his church to occupy and conquer in his name. And apathy and complacency should not be the words that describe the people of God today. But yet so often we find in the church that these are the words that describe the church, apathy and complacency. And the Lord's return is so soon. I mean, if you're sitting here this morning and you don't think as you turn on the news or you look around you that the return of Jesus is very soon, then you need to read your Bibles because the Lord said that we should be able to discern the seasons and the times. And I'm telling you right now, and I know people have been saying this, but it's the 11th hour. It's the 11th hour. God's coming back soon. Do you know when the Lord returns for his people, what is the world going to be saying? Peace and safety. It's not going to come. And that's what the world is saying. They're mocking Christians. They're saying, oh yeah, you've been saying that for so many years. Jesus is going to come back. You have, you know, crazy people standing up saying he's coming back on a certain day. I understand that to a certain degree. Okay. But you've been saying that forever. And you're thinking, well, yeah, they, you know, we have been saying that. Well, do you know in 2 Peter it says that's what the, that's what the disposition of the world is going to be on the verge of Jesus' return. People are going to be mocking the second coming of Jesus, the judgment on this world. Oh, yeah, right. God's not going to judge. And he says, that's when he's going to come back and it's going to come as a thief in the night. And the unbeliever is going to be caught in darkness, but the believer shouldn't be because we walk in light. The light is given in the word of God. And so again, the reason I'm bringing this up is because there's work to be done. It's not like we just sit back and say, we're going to charge up our credit cards. You know, we're going to go out and, you know, eat, drink, and be merry because tomorrow the Lord's going to rapture the church. That's not the reason God's given us prophecy, right? The Lord has given us prophecy because he wants us to be about his business. He wants us to be out sharing the word, ministering, being available for him and for his service, engaging. Paul, I mean, whatever the Lord has called you to, he wants us to engage our culture as living epistles read and known by all men. You know, and the Lord says that you're going to enter the land, you're going to occupy if you step out by faith and see me do amazing things as you just avail yourself to me and make yourself available for my service. And so, you know, as we walk with God, we should continually be conquering new territory in the name of the Lord. And again, the example is the Balloon and Wine Festival. You know, you have a group of people that say, you know, here we are, Lord, send us. And they go out, over a hundred people come to know. That's a hundred people that would have been going to hell that are now ushered into the kingdom of heaven because the Lord says, I want to do a work. Yeah. Amen. We can clap about that. You know, it's the glory of God. It's amazing. And the Lord may not call you to go to the Balloon and Wine Festival and work and play. I mean, you play golf. Do you, do you go out on your family trips? You go to, you know, family reunions, you know, mission trips. I mean, anywhere you go, all authority has been given to Jesus. He's delegated that authority. He says, go into the world and make disciples. Walk out these doors. The next person you see, share the gospel. Well, who am I? I'm not a pastor. I'm not ordained. It doesn't matter. You're a child of God. Share the word of God, be available in and ask God to use you. And he will. Well, the second promise, we've got to speed up here. Israel would conquer their enemies. Verse five. He says, no man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses. So I will be with you. I will not leave you and I will not forsake you. So no doubt this promise would have been extremely comforting to Joshua and all of Israel, especially knowing that there would be resistance from their enemies. Okay. Notice whenever you step out to serve the Lord, there's always going to be resistance. Paul, the apostle in Ephesians chapter six said, for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, rules, the darkness of the ages, spiritual host of wickedness and having places. So he, he mentions in his epistle to the, to the Ephesians, listen, we're struggling against, you know, a realm that is unseen with the natural eyes. We need to be aware of that. We need to identify that. Okay. There's going to be attacks. So the moment that you step up and say, Lord, here I am to serve you, don't be surprised if all types of things in your life begin to go awry. Spouse, maybe arguments, children, workplace, people around you're thinking, what's going on, Lord, I'm here to serve you. And all this resistance and opposition, when we're apathetic and we're complacent, the enemy doesn't want anything to do with us. We're ineffective. But the moment we step up and say, Lord, here we are to serve you, then the enemies are going to come at us. But listen, the Bible promises that greater is he who is in us than he who is in this world. And so the Lord here is speaking to Joshua and the children of Israel, no matter what you experience in terms of opposition, I am greater. And so we ought not look at our enemies around us and think, oh no, they're going to ultimately overcome us. That would be anti-biblical because what we're saying is God is less than our enemies. And even in the church today, okay, maybe you're thinking, well, I know my boss or the people around me, you know, I can overcome them. But when it comes to Satan and his demons, I don't want to mess with that. And listen, apart from Christ, you don't want to, unless God has commissioned you into a service in that area. But when the Lord has called you into that service, we can't have this dualist type of mindset thinking that God and Satan are equal, right? Satan wants you to think that he's equal with God. And that was the sin from the very beginning. I will be like the most high God. I will be equal to the most high God. He hasn't changed his tactic. Well, if you do this for God, I've got you. I'm going to destroy you. And he makes you believe that. But listen, God is greater. God is eternal and omnipotent, uncreated, all powerful. Satan is created. And we know ultimately that he will be destroyed. But listen, even now his authority is limited in its extent. We serve the one who says, all authority has been given up to me. And so we are not fear our enemies. When God's called us to something, we must remember that God is mightier. And the Lord says, as I was with all of my servants, so I also will be with you. Once again, it's applicable to the Christian. When Jesus said, lo, I am with you even to the end of the age. And so this is the only promise we need for assurance of victory. If God is for us, then who can be against us? And there is no weapon formed against us that shall prosper. So what are you facing today? What are your enemies today? Are there enemies in your life right now that you're facing where you feel like they're just unbeatable? And maybe the Lord is wanting to teach you, yeah, that apart from him, they are unbeatable. But as you walk with Christ, he can break that bondage. He can break those chains. He can allow you to walk in victory in those areas where you thought, I will never have victory in these areas. I will never overcome. The Lord says, yeah, in your strength you won't, but in my strength you can. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. And maybe some of the hardships and the trials that you're facing in your life right now are because of the Lord. Maybe you're not strong enough. Maybe you're weak. Maybe you're weak. But unto that end, the chastening hand of God saying, listen, I want to bring you to a place of weakness so that you can be strong in me. And that's where the Lord wants to bring all of his people. We sing the songs, right? Lead me till I'm broken. Do you mean that when you sing it? Do you mean it? Lead me till I'm broken. Brokenness, brokenness, Lord. We sing these songs. Do we really understand what we're saying? But you can embrace these songs and you can worship in this manner when you understand when you are weak, that's when you're strong. Because glory will only be given to the Lord and not to his people. And so when we're weak in him, that is when God's might and strength is manifest. And again, the words given here. So as the good shepherd, he promises he'll never abandon us and he doesn't retreat. And I love that, you know, especially when you're going through a hardship because, you know, there's certain people that may be in your life where you think, well, man, I really would like to have them next to my side because they're strong. They've been a spiritual mentor. Maybe they have money or they have prominence. They have a position of renown. And you think, well, man, if they're next to my side, then everything's good. But, you know, people are going to let you down. And there's going to be times where those people that you thought were so strong are going to be removed from your life and you're going to be left alone and no one else can do anything for you. And the question is, who do you turn to in those instances? God wants us to turn to him. He wants us to turn to him and to know that he is mightier and to know that he will never retreat from you if you're a child of God. He'll never retreat from you, you know, because he's the good shepherd. And that's what Jesus said, right? In John chapter 10, I'm the good shepherd. The hireling, when they're there, man, they see danger coming, where do they go? The other way. They run the other way. But the good shepherd, he never retreats. And that's why David was able to say, even though I walked through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for your rod and your staff. They comfort me. You walk with me, Lord. You will never leave me nor forsake me. And again, that's the promise that God has given to all of his children. Well, it leads us to our third and final point found in verse six. Israel would divide the land. He says, be strong and of good courage. For to this people, you shall divide as an inheritance the land, which I swore to their fathers to give them. And again, Genesis chapter 12, verses six through seven, Genesis 13, 14 through 15, chapter 15, 18 through 21 are instances where the promise is recorded that Israel would divide the land given to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. But apart from getting into, you know, the implications of this in terms of its application directly to the nation of Israel, which I touched on a few weeks ago, the Lord here is reaffirming, I will prove myself faithful in all that I've promised. And this is, again, an encouragement to us. If you're sitting here today, God has given us promises in his word. And the Bible says that not one jot or one tittle is going to pass away before God brings all of these things to pass. That everything in this book, from Genesis to Revelation, that God has given to his children, God will be faithful to fulfill. And so we can cling to and find hope in not one utterance of God will fail in its veracity. And so if God has promised it, he is going to be faithful to fulfill it. How he fulfills it, that's in God's eyes. And how that unfolds, it looks different at times, right? In each person's life. And you step back and you think, well, I didn't think that's how you were going to do it. But that's how the Lord has chosen to do it in his perfect way and his perfect timing. But know this, that his promises will never fail in their veracity. And that's why it says in the Bible that he exalts his word above his name. That's why we come to church and you want to attend the church, whether it be here or somewhere else, where you're hearing the pure word of God. Not man's opinions, not man's reasoning. You're not going to be entertained. You're called to be equipped. And now more than ever, because there are so many lies and so much deception that is not only in this world, but infiltrating the church. And the only way that we will be able to stand against the enemy, the world, and its system is by knowing what the Bible says, by being equipped and studying to show ourselves approved. And so when the hardships come, the difficulties come, we're able to say, okay, Lord, but this is what your word declares. And I know that because you have been faithful in the past to fulfill your word, that you will be faithful in the present to fulfill your word, and you'll be faithful in the future to fulfill your word. And we can cling to that, the word of God, the most constant thing that we have in our life at this time. And that's why the word of God is so often attacked. That's why when you try to come to church on Sundays, you get in arguments with your spouse, and you don't want to wake up in the morning, and you're tired. But if you had a golf game, you'd be up right at the crack of dawn, right? Or somewhere to go. And you're wondering, why am I always lethargic on Sundays? I don't want to come to church. Well, because you're coming to hear the word of God. You're coming to be equipped. Why do you find yourself in opposition before you study the word of God? On Wednesday nights, you go to home, you say, I'd rather do this or watch this. And it's not like it's a legalistic trip. It's just, do you want to be equipped to be able to confront the battles that we're going to be faced with? But, you know, God promised Joshua and the nation of Israel that he'd be faithful to fulfill his word. And so, which is why, and you know, it's wonderful for me, and I'm going to conclude here. I'm kind of enjoying this. But what's wonderful for me and you as we journey through the book of Joshua, and you continue in this journey with us, is that the book of Joshua records the fulfillment of these three promises. I love it. Because the book of Joshua, we find in the book of Joshua, the fulfillment of these three promises. So in the first couple chapters, the first promise is recorded in chapters 2 through 5, the second in chapter 6 through 12, and the third in chapters 13 through 22. So everything God promised to Joshua and the nation of Israel, they're recorded in Joshua. And so the Lord is saying, okay, I'm going to give you these promises, I'm going to record these promises, and then I'm going to show you how I fulfill them through Joshua and through the nation of Israel. And there was detours and there was things that happened during this time, but God ultimately fulfilled his promises. And that's an encouragement for us, because again, the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If he fulfilled his promises to the nation of Israel, how much more is God going to now fulfill his promises to us in Christ? Not based upon your faithfulness, not based upon what you've done, but based upon what Christ has done. Because we serve one greater than Joshua, Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. And we follow him. He is the ultimate victor. And this is why at the conclusion of Joshua's life, he could say, not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All has come to pass for you. Not one word of them has failed. That was Joshua's testimony at the end of his life. For the man who was to lead this people into the promised land of Canaan, who no doubt at this time was scared, was fearful, how are you going to accomplish this? At the end of his life, he looks back and says, not one thing that God has promised us has failed to come to pass. Wow, that's amazing. And I guarantee this, that each one of us, whether you can say it now or not, and when we stand before the Lord, we're going to look back upon our lives and we're going to say, not one thing, Lord, that you've promised has failed to come to pass because you are faithful. And that's the reality that even when we're faithless, he remains faithful because he can't deny himself. And so no matter what you're going through today and no matter what you're faced with, my prayer is that you would be strong and have good courage if you're a child of God this morning, knowing that the Lord has promised he will never leave you nor forsake you. And you know, on that note, the ushers can come forward and start passing out the communion elements. I think it's only appropriate that we take communion this morning because you know, really this is the institution that God has given to us, well, baptism and communion to remember the Lord's death. The fulfillment of God's promises, you know, are based upon the covenant blood of Jesus. And that's why we exalt Christ as the land that was slain before the foundations of the world, because it was through his stripes that we were healed. And so this morning, if you're sitting here, you know, and you're a child of God, then you have the right to take communion and examine yourself, search your heart. And you know, the Bible says that we're to examine ourselves as we take communion. And you know, not that we're scared to take communion, but Lord, search me and know me, see if there's any wicked way inside of me. You know, ask for forgiveness, but receive it by faith in what Christ has done. If you're sitting here this morning, you're not a child of God, this doesn't mean anything to you. It can mean something to you this morning, but number one, you have to confess your sins and say, Lord, I give up, I need a Savior. I'm turning from my wicked ways, repentance, placing my faith and trust in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior come into my heart. And the Lord says, okay, you're adopted in the family of God. All of those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. You don't have to do a religious ritual, nothing. It's about calling upon the name of the Lord for salvation. But this act that we're going to do here is symbolic of the Lord's death. And so for those who are right before the Lord, I encourage you just really to thank God for what he's done. But let's hold these elements before we take them and we're going to take them together. Hytham asks if we can do them separately, because some of you guys have a hard time holding both elements. So we're going to do that this morning as we sing a song.